Analysis
10/6/21
4 min read
Small School Standouts: Week 5
While most of the fanfare and conversation about NFL Draft prospects traditionally surrounds high-profile FBS programs, schools at the FCS generate high-end talent every year, and prospects from those schools should not be overlooked. Each week, The 33rd Team highlights a handful of FCS standouts from small schools around the country. Here are 5 players who caught our eye in Week 5.
(Jr.) Jamal Glaspie, WR, Northern Arizona
The most impressive receiving performance in the FCS this weekend came from Northern Arizona wideout Jamal Glaspie. He was targeted 18 times and hauled in 11 catches for 167 yards and 2 touchdowns. Most of Glaspie’s damage came deep down the field as he accumulated a deep passing grade of 91.2 and had a 114.6 passer rating on targets of 20-plus yards. Additionally, Glaspie had the highest average depth of target (ADOT) of any receiver with over 3 targets at 15.7. He finished the weekend as the second highest grade receiver at 81.2 and with the third best receiving grade.
With his performance this past Saturday, the Fresno State transfer crossed 50 yards for the first time all year. Overall, Glaspie has a 79.2 overall grade through the first 5 weeks of the season. He’s the top ranked receiver on a unit that PFF has graded out as the 5th best in the Big Sky. Glaspie has fared much better in his time at Northern Arizona than he ever did at Fresno State where he was rarely able to see the field. After the bye, Glaspie and Northern Arizona will face a Southern Utah team that only has one win on the season.
(Fr.) Elisha Cummings, RB, Idaho
The highest graded running back in the FCS this weekend was Idaho freshman Elisha Cummings. On just 15 carries, Cummings forced 7 missed tackles, the highest total of the weekend. He also had 4 runs of 10-plus yards and moved the chains 5 times. Cummings racked up a season-best 125 yards as a rusher on 8.3 yards per carry. The only area of the game where Cummings failed to make an impact was as a receiver, where he was targeted just twice for 14 yards.
Heading into Week 6, Cummings has a top 40 PFF grade of 74.7. In his next matchup, Cummings will take on a Portland State run defense that’s been getting gashed the past few weeks.
(Fr.) RJ Martinez, QB, Northern Arizona
True freshman RJ Martinez had a standout performance last weekend in a rout of Idaho State. He paced the FCS in passing yards with 369 and added in 3 touchdowns. On the ground, Martinez showcased his rushing ability by rushing for a 41-yard touchdown that broke the game open early in the third. The most impressive part of his performance was how he attacked the defense downfield. Martinez was able to routinely put pressure on the secondary by making four big time throws and having an ADOT of 12.1. On throws of 20-plus yards, Martinez only completed 40 percent of his passes, but had a solid PFF grade of 87.2.
Martinez earned the second the highest PFF QB grade of the week at 86.3 and also had a top 5 passing grade. He’s played well so far in his first season with Northern Arizona, and he’ll look to continue the momentum in his next start against Southern Utah.
(Sr.) Jahari Kay, EDGE, Sam Houston State
Sam Houston State EDGE Jahari Kay showed why he was the WAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year on Saturday. In a one point defeat of Stephen F. Austin, Kay had 1.5 sacks, 8 total tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and a pass breakup en route to being graded as the top EDGE in the FCS. His most important play came late in the game when he forced a fumble that helped seal the victory for his team.
Kay is off to another strong start this season as he’s inside the top 10 at EDGE rusher through 5 weeks. The senior has career highs in overall grade, pass rushing grade, and tackling grade. The defending FCS champs will face Lamar this week, a team that has one of the lowest graded FCS pass blocking units.
(R-So.) Terez Traynor, WR, Idaho
Idaho wideout Terez Traynor had an impressive day against the undefeated UC Davis. Against the number one ranked coverage unit in the FCS, he was targeted a team high 13 times and hauled in 10 catches for 131 yards. On intermediate routes, Traynor caught all 4 passes thrown to him and earned a PFF grade of 92.9. Through four games, Traynor has already been able to surpass what he did last season at Western Kentucky. The possession receiver will take on Portland State in his next matchup.
